How to send money to UAE from Kenya with the best KES-AED rate

Comparing providers offering services between Kenya and the United Arab Emirates, based on your specific needs is the best way to send money with confidence.

Right now, for KES/AED

• Key Currency is our top choice for KES to AED transfers. Sending 1,000,000 KES to AED will cost you KSh0 in fees, and you will receive 28,330 AED. The delivery time usually is minutes - 3 days, but it depends on the day you make the transfer.

• Key Currency offers the lowest cost transfers of the 2 compared. Data collected for transfers between Kenya and the United Arab Emirates over the past week shows that Key Currency is 0.02% cheaper than the second-best option.

• Of 2 companies compared, Regency FX offers the quickest way to send Kenyan Shillings to the United Arab Emirates is with minutes - 24 hours. When speed matters, Regency FX is our recommended choice for sending into United Arab Emirates from Kenya.

Our comparison includes 2 companies that provide the ability to send Kenyan Shilling to United Arab Emirates.

This ensures you get the best options for transfers to the United Arab Emirates from Kenya, based on the amount you want to send.

The exchange rate determines the price you’ll pay for UAE Dirham when sending Kenyan Shilling to the United Arab Emirates.

The rate between the Kenyan Shilling and UAE Dirham is currently 0.0284.

The total cost of money transfers from Kenya to United Arab Emirates is a combination of fees and exchange rates. Get the best of both, and you will be getting a good deal.

• The Mid-Market and Exchange Rates: The mid-market rate for KES-AED is currently 0.0284 AED per Kenyan Shilling. Providers offering services closer to this rate will ensure more UAE Dirham for your Kenyan Shillings.

• Fees: Transfer fees are charged alongside a transfer. The company offering the lowest fee is Key Currency, charging 0 KES per transfer. In all cases, we recommend searching for your exact send amount as fees may change.

• Amount Received: Money transfer companies will show you the amount eventually received in UAE Dirham. Simply, the higher the amount received in Kenya, the lower the cost of sending from the United Arab Emirates.

Sometimes, waiting a day or two can help you get more AED for the same amount of Kenyan Shilling. Using a forward contract that also allows you to lock in an agreed exchange rate between Kenya and the United Arab Emirates.

Sending money via a bank transfer is the recommended option for sending money from Kenya to the United Arab Emirates.

Here are all the ways to send money from Kenya to United Arab Emirates:

Bank transfers

Paying via a bank transfer is often the better option for sending money from Kenya to the United Arab Emirates.

By using a money transfer company such as Key Currency for transfers from Kenya to the United Arab Emirates, you can send money and while benefit from lower fees and more favorable exchange rates than you would get with a traditional bank. 


Debit and prepaid cards

Sending money from Kenya to the United Arab Emirates with a debit or a prepaid card is easy with .


is a one of the better options in the market for international debit card transfers from Kenya to the United Arab Emirates.

Credit cards

Not many money transfer companies offer direct credit card deposits, because it is more expensive for everyone (especially with high cash advance fees).

We recommend using a bank transfer or a debit card transfer if you can; otherwise, make a quick comparison to find the latest deal.

Some services between Kenya and the United Arab Emirates have minimum or maximum thresholds on how much you can transfer. This is applies when receiving money in the United Arab Emirates as well.

Companies will offer different rates and fees for different transfer amounts. For regular transfers to the United Arab Emirates, use Key Currency. The combination of rates and fees when sending from Kenya to the United Arab Emirates is the most competitive, even at larger amounts.

Also, always check with the recipient and understand any declarations needed on large amounts of money leaving Kenya, or entering the United Arab Emirates. Mis-understanding these could result in a slower, or even failed, transfer.

There are different ways to receive UAE Dirham in United Arab Emirates. This includes a direct bank deposit, cash pickup, a mobile wallet or receiving money into a multi-currency account.

Not all providers serving transfers from Kenya to the United Arab Emirates will offer every method for incoming UAE Dirham, so it’s best to check ahead of time.

One of the more common ways to transfer from Kenya into UAE Dirham is directly into a bank account. Key Currency is the best company for bank transfers between Kenya and United Arab Emirates.

And if you need cash right away, check if cash pickup is an option for transfers between Kenya and United Arab Emirates.

Mobile wallet services and payment apps like PayPal, Xoom, and CashApp are popular too, but they come with more limitations and higher costs compared to money transfer providers like Key Currency.

When signing up to and sending Kenyan Shilling to United Arab Emirates, through a money transfer company, you will have to verify your ID.

The precise documents you need will vary and in some cases you will need more than one.

For the most part however, in Kenya this will be a government issued ID such as a passport or driver's license. In the United Arab Emirates it will be similar, although this should only be needed if you are opening a new account in the United Arab Emirates, or collecting in cash. Sending to an existing bank account in the United Arab Emirates shouldn’t require any additional ID checks.

Large transactions between Kenya and United Arab Emirates, are subject to additional checks. A provider may ask you for proof of address or may want to carry out a proof of funds check.

One of the reasons Key Currency has scored so highly for transfers to the United Arab Emirates is their easy sign up process in Kenya.

When sending large amounts of money between Kenya and United Arab Emirates there will potentially be a tax declaration to consider.

Some transfers into UAE Dirham may need to be reported to tax authorities in the United Arab Emirates, particularly where inheritance or property purchases are involved.

Tax limits and personal allowances will change in the United Arab Emirates based on age, income and a few other elements. When in doubt, please contact a tax professional in Kenya or the United Arab Emirates to discuss your personal circumstances.